THE MIND OF KINCAID

AND JACKSON
Girl and The Lottery

FEBRUARY 12, 2014

ENG. 102-701
Prof. Steinberg

The Mind of Kincaid and Jackson

Two different authors, two different stories being contrasted and compared to show that though
there was different mindsets, when looked at deeper, we could find some similarities in the
stories of Girl and The Lottery, one written by Jamaica Kincaid and Shirley Jackson. I will
show how their mind works in a way that we will feel we are in the skin of Kincaid and Jackson
understanding these two stories on a deeper level.

The Mind of Kincaid and Jackson

New York, the big apple, the city of excitement, the city that all dreams for most people
can come true, is the state that authors Jamaica Kincaid and Shirley Jackson, both resided while
pursuing their writing careers. Miles away from each other, though in the same state, Kincaid
and Jackson, have different writing styles and those styles play a big role in their writing.
Kincaid Contrasts
Jamaica Kincaid decided to take an approach of writing that involved no dialogue, but an
instruction approach to capture the reader which is why its written in first person. Kincaid
wanted us to feel how the Mother was feeling as well as the little girl. This type of approach
helped to feel the expectations of a woman, but it also screamed out equality between women
and men.
The instructional approach that Kincaid took for this short story, helped to set the tone as
well as the theme for this story. The theme for this story is the difference between the Mother
and the daughter, the conflict between them, which was the Mother wanting to make sure the
daughter was going to grow and become the acceptable woman she thought she should be.
Kincaid focused on gender and sexuality, wanting us to know that women were powerful and
strong.
Jackson Contrasts
Shirley Jackson approach in the short story The Lottery, was completely different from
the approach Kincaid took. The Lottery was written in third person; helping readers view this
story from a viewpoint outside the characters in the story. Jacksons focus was for us to not so
much picture ourselves in this story, but more look at the story as if we were looking through a
window.

The Mind of Kincaid and Jackson

This story was such a horrible story, telling how murder took place in small villages and
everyone participated with joy. This story to me had several themes, but the main theme I
believe in this story was how the people neglected to forget about traditions or rules of the past.
Punishing one person for the whole town to the point of death is very wrong though the villagers
did not feel what they were doing was wrong. Jackson used irony big time in this story as well,
starting with the title. When you think about a lottery you think about a prize, not murder.
Another irony factor in this story is how when the children were playing on a sunny day. It
makes it seems as if a happy event is about to take place but it doesnt.
Lets get a little deeper with writing styles
Already establishing how Kincaid and Jackson are two completely different authors,
which wrote two different stories with different themes, tones and styles, one similarity of the
authors are both stories are not based on true stories. Kincaids story though fiction, was more
realistic verses Jacksons fiction style, which almost fit the horror category.
When looking closer at their writing styles, both writers were harsh in their own way. I
wouldnt describe these stories as happy or stories I would want to share as wisdom. In Girl,
Kincaid was basically drilling the young girl to the point that the girl could not respond to
express her feelings or even ask questions. She wanted us to feel the tension in the room verses
Jacksons writing style forcing visualization. We had to visualize the anger that Tess was feeling
when she knew her family was picked. We had to visualize the anger and the fear that was in the
air when it came down to the drawing in The Lottery. Jackson did not want us to become the
character or connect with the character but visualize what she was writing.
Personal Experiences

The Mind of Kincaid and Jackson

Sharing the same type of emotion when comparing the authors writing styles in these
particular stories, an emotion of sadness, I would pick Girl to read again. Though the Mother
was harsh, Kincaid was trying to give wisdom and teach the young girl, something as parents we
strive or should strive to do (Prov.22:6 Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old
he will not turn from it.).

I know when talking to my kids I can get into the mode where Im

talking and I do not want them to respond and if they try to respond to me when Im trying to
lecture, I will tell my kids to hush or say the words I dont care, this is what Im trying to say,
etc. I can relate tremendously to how the Mother was probably feeling while lecturing the
girl about how to become a proper woman.
On the other hand, I can also relate to how the young girl was probably feeling. My
children and I have good days and bad days, teens, I need say no more! On our good days we
talk a lot and I enjoy it so much! I learn whats going on in their minds when the atmosphere is
comfortable and relaxing. I have learned from them as well as they learn from me. I have
expressed that just because Im a grown up doesnt mean Im perfect when parenting. Opening
up and having true communication, helps not only the child to learn better, but it should help us
as a parent as, well to maybe adjust our parenting techniques in areas that need adjusting. I now
know what hurts my kids the most when they do something wrong, is to take away the luxuries
in their lives, the number one luxury, their cell phone!
Conclusion
Comparing Kincaid and Jackson enabled exploring two authors with similar tones but at
the same time very different. It helped to recognize different writing styles and dig deeper to
also recognize the themes each story was portraying.

The Mind of Kincaid and Jackson

Experiences in people lives can play a big role on whats expressed outward. Kincaids
anger and frustration from her childhood lead to her expressing that anger using a Mother and a
daughter or young girl pushing her to be better. Jackson showed how a town, due to rules and
rituals of the past, expressed anger towards any random persons. Very sad but portrayed in a
way to help us see and feel emotions we all express in some way every day.